how true the s&ying is that British children evacuated toji the United States are proving "ambassadors without portfolio" can be judged from a peep behind the scenes at a new organization in Britain called The Kinsmen, writes Mr. Peter Lyne in an article in ist ian Science Monitor," entitled, "Youthful Hearts That Bridge the Seas.
Primarily this society is the outcome of a great desire on the part of British parents to express collectively as well as individually their gratitude for American generosity. But the functions of The Kinsmen already go far wider.
This organization is seeking to satisfy the new British interest in America's way of life, aroused by the fact that 4,000 or so British children are in America for the rest of the war.
The organization is furthering the bond of friendship and understanding between parents in Britain and foster parents across the Atlantic, Amid war, it is planning a reciprocal British Hospitality for American hen peace is restored. and another the affairs siderable light question of closer Anglo-American relations, Take, for instance, the sudden realization by an English mother of her ignorance of America, where her daughter is now staying. "My little girl's American hostess." she wrote to the founder of The Kinsmen, Mrs, Lucie Bemrose, "is so. marvelously good to her that I feel quite at ease about her well-being; but the trouble is that I myself feel so out of the picture, I know nothing about the. States and they don't realize how little I know."
The/ children's letters home are often gems of human interest, "How is precious old England?" "I hope you always carry your gas mask." Sentences like these, picked at random, stand out for their pathos end solicitude, But mostly the letters tell of new and wonderful ex-responsible duties with the Home Guard. to. help her, particularly through his printing works, io York last October, "He ties already grown out of his clothes," she said. "And they've made him tidy up his hair," she added gratefully, Coming back to the founding of The Kinsmen, Mrs, Bemrose told me ow, she started by writing to the Parents of children who went to the United States under the American Evacuation Committee. Response was enthusiastic and revealed how deep. is the gratitude of. British parents and how complete their irust.in.the American foster parents, In fact, if there was a note of caution in their support of The Kinsmen plan it was expressed in a desire that there should be no central checking up on foster parents, no interference in existing happy relationships, however well meaning; no charity, nor any action which might offend, periences; of the marvels of press-No Regrets For Parting button machines delivering anything from safety pins to sand shoes; of British parents also required some the endless kindness of America': 's reassurance that the foster parents Uncle J " and "Auntie Mary"; of would appreciate the sincerity, of surprising differences between school their wish fo ce-operate. Here' the and home life in England and in the American Outpost in London has States, stepped in as a well-qualifier adviser, The letters speak in glowing terms Bridging the Gap of the tact and cheerfulness of the But few grown-ups, let alone a welcome given to British children in child, could be expected to fill in America, "We have never regretted tre immense canvas of the New our decision. to part with him," World which parents here are sud-wrote one mother, "There he is able denly so eager to scan. That is why to enjoy the normal life of freedom there is such ready support for The that is so necessary for the proper Kinsmen idea of getting together to development of a child," help bridge the gap between the "He is so happy." writes another, homes in America, and thereby help-"He doesn't really miss us, But it's ing to bring the two English-speak better that way." irg peoples still closer together, A Church of England clergyman, The far-reaching significance of praising the hospitality that American tis movement is apparent in every friends are showing to his children, step in the development of The adds, "I believe this Christian kind-Kinsmen as described to me by Mrs, ners will do more to weld our two Bemrose at her comfortable home in countries in an unbreakable bond of the Midland industrial town of fellowship than the work of all the Derby, "She takes no credit for the politicians," idea, "That," he said, "was inherent Fathers serving in Britain's fight-in the kinship which British parents ing services wrote to say they could have felt toward one another when devote themselves to winning the they realize how many hopes and war with easy consciences now their dreams, recollections and resolves children were in safe keeping, they have had in common, ever since their children took the perilous Educational Data Wanted voyage,"
But it was Mrs, Bemrose's or-The letters'also made various prot ability which gave form to posals for furthering the work othe Her finds betw: can his risen and T! en.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.